The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1887-10-28
A GOOD CATCH.
BY EMILY LENNON.

by EMILY LENNON.
''Mr. Ainslcy Arbuthnot" was the
name beautifully engraved on the ele-
giant visiting card which a servant pre-
sented to Evelyn Ogden, as she stood
before a tall pier-glass, admiring the
sweep of her white satin tram, and the
wave of her glossy black hair
"You are ready, 1 suppose, Sybng'
she asked, with a disdainful glance at
her shy little cousin, whose modest toll
cite of wine-colored cashmere hardly
suited Miss Evelyn's elaborate taste.
"Oh, yes" Sybil answered, promptly.
II have been ready for some time"
"Why don't you put some white lace
around your neck?" Evelyn asked, criti-
calIy. "You look so-oh, so plain"
She was going to say "countryfed, s"
but repented of that and amended her
speech.
q haven't any lace" sybn said,
frankly.
IN lend you my fchu, ? said Evelyn,
less in a spirit of generosity than in a
wish to have SybiI look scmi-respect-
able
Thanks" was the gentle reply, "but
l would rather net borrow any fine
feathers Evelyn, dear. Don't mind me.
l couldn't look anything but plain if l
tried, and it will suit me better to creep
into a quiet corner where no one will
see me. l can enjoy your triumphs,
cousin, for l am sure you will have them,
You look beautiful tonight"
DO you think soI7 said Evelyn, with
a conscious glance toward the mirror
Il am glad this dress is so becoming.
Mr.. Arbuthnot adores white"
Il almost wish I hadn't said I would
60" observed Sybil, looking down at
her own plain dress 4 am afraid l
shall disgrace you, Evelyn. don't even
know how to behave, for I never heard
Of a progressive-angling party before"
''Oh, it's simple enough, said Evelyn,
buttoning her long gloves. There
will be lot of tubs, or punch bowls,
probably, and we will all have gilt fish
ing rods and lines, with hooks on them.
The fish are hollow and have prizes in
side We all fish for them, and nobody
knows what he is going to get till the
fish are opened. There is to be a gold
ring in one tonight, they say. 1t will
be like wedding cake. But you needn't
worry, SybiI; FL tell you what to do"
Sybil was not worrying. She was
perfectly quiet-in fact, so much so, that
Evelyn fancied her brilliant escort would
not be at all pleased with this unex-
pected addition to their party.
Sybil had come to the city to try and
get position as a teacher, and Evelyn
did not fancy taking her out in society;
but Mr. Ogden had a tender feeling for
his sisters child, and commanded his
daughter to show her all the honors due
to a distinguished guest.
'My cousin, Miss Weir, Mr. Arbuth-
not" said Evelyn, presenting Sybil to
the gentleman who awaited them in the
parlor.
Ainsley Arbuthnot's keen eyes had
swept in an instant over the white satin
gown, with the mental observation:
"Overdressedn'
They rested now upon the SANDER,
little figure in the soft, rich-colored
cashmere, and they lighted with genuine
admiration.
Il am pleased to make your acquaint-
ance, Miss Welr," he said, with that
quiet yet impressive manner which is
such valuable gift,
Svbil murmured something, but hcl
evelids fell before that magnetic
glance.
How handsome he was, and how per
fectlv sclf-possessed! 1t was no wonder
that Evelyn was always talking about
Ainslcy Arbuthnot.
He was rich, too, they said, though
Sybil thought very little about wealth,
save as some far-away thing which she
would probably never possess in all hcl
lifetime.
The progressive angling" went on al
Mrs. Bayard's house, where Sybil felt as
though she were in fairy-Iand, among
flowers and fragrance, and parti-colored
lights, that shone on a crowd of elegant
Iy-drcssed men and women, who moved
about in Gene of rare beauty and
splendor.
.AIust I fish too?" sybil asked,
.ueryously, as she looked shyly at the